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wwweronka's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
4.0
fun and easy to read.
at first I thought I didn't like the ending, but then I was like 😧 and I did ended up liking it.
the domestication in this translation was quite visible, there moments where I caught myself thinking what was said in the source text, I'm assuming it could be annoying to someone who knows a lot about Japanese culture.
at first I thought I didn't like the ending, but then I was like 😧 and I did ended up liking it.
the domestication in this translation was quite visible, there moments where I caught myself thinking what was said in the source text, I'm assuming it could be annoying to someone who knows a lot about Japanese culture.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Kidnapping, Suicide, and Murder
linguaphile412's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, Child death, Murder, Ableism, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Bullying, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting
afi_whatafireads's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Compelling, intriguing and one of the most shocking revelations and if not, quirky and weird to be in a book that is less than 200 pages. The prose was revolting, the vibe of the book that gives a slight noir feeling for it as well as the nuances and metaphors that the author had included in the book in the main theme revolving Loneliness, on how humans can act in the desperation of finding something to fill out their lives that seemed empty.
Personal Ratings: 4🌟
The Master Key has one of the most compelling prologue that hooks your right in. A cult classic in the Japanese Crime thriller world that is in the lines of literature and a really good crime mystery. Its a book that, if you take things only at surface value, you'll find the book to be a well-written crime mystery. But, if you delve in just a bit deeper, you'll find that every line that the author wrote interlaced on the acts of humans to fill in voids in their life, and I for that had enjoyed the nuances that the author had thrown to the readers.
Short Summary
In the suburbs of Tokyo in 1951, a boarding house that houses only women of different ages has somehow lost its Master Key to the 150 rooms. Kidnappings, murders as well as strange things had happened with the occupants of the boarding house. Its a story of different individuals having different motives and means in life. A chilling thriller with a mellow and noir vibe that is a mixture of life, and the perspectives of different individuals that lives in a shareplace.
Personal Thoughts
Personal Ratings: 4🌟
The Master Key has one of the most compelling prologue that hooks your right in. A cult classic in the Japanese Crime thriller world that is in the lines of literature and a really good crime mystery. Its a book that, if you take things only at surface value, you'll find the book to be a well-written crime mystery. But, if you delve in just a bit deeper, you'll find that every line that the author wrote interlaced on the acts of humans to fill in voids in their life, and I for that had enjoyed the nuances that the author had thrown to the readers.
Short Summary
In the suburbs of Tokyo in 1951, a boarding house that houses only women of different ages has somehow lost its Master Key to the 150 rooms. Kidnappings, murders as well as strange things had happened with the occupants of the boarding house. Its a story of different individuals having different motives and means in life. A chilling thriller with a mellow and noir vibe that is a mixture of life, and the perspectives of different individuals that lives in a shareplace.
Personal Thoughts
"These apartments were founded with the intention of preserving the modesty and so enhancing the status of working women. That one little key was the guarantor of these aims, but in the wrong hands, it becomes a threat. In such circumstances, locked doors lose their meanings."
This book was just so... very... weird.... from the very start. And weird is good in a crime thriller and this book delivered it. This book is not only a page turner, it had defined various moments and things in life in a way that makes you feel .. just.... very... disturbed about everything. The idea of the boarding house itself is noble, but, in the era of 1950's, the place has gained more long-term tenants, which means there are more older ladies that lives in the place.
The one thing that I really like about the book is how the author had really depicted the lives of different women in this house. The writing changed its POV's to different tenants of the place and all revolves around the Master Key that is missing. At first, you'll feel like, OKAY, so where is this going? But as the plot progresses on, and everything was revealed, you'll be in the state like this,
I literaly stared 10 minutes at the book and going back to the pages and going WTF JUST HAPPENED :') The revelation caught you by surprise and boy was I just mindblowned at the ending.
The book also handles the overall theme of loneliness and how every single person at the boarding house is doing something , (sometimes out of the ordinary), to fill in the hollowness of their own heart. Its both saddening and just a depiction of what can drives a person when extreme loneliness kicks in. Its one that also portrays the reality of the Japanese and how the rate of suicide is high amongst them. The conversations that you have with yourself, that can drive one to insanity or one to live in extreme measures was shown in this book. The author did a splendid job in showing how loneliness is not a friend to people. For real, the way the author wrote this story to be seen in the multiple POV of the residents of the place had gave me an insight of the people living in the place, and well, its not as pretty.
"Fate made a fool of me in the end, after all. Life is just a passing dream, and we are the toys of mocking fate."
A compelling story that is a page turner and one that climbed up into one of my favs! Definitely recommended for those who is a fan of cult classic crime thrillers and just reading of old women doing weird things :')
Thank you to Pansing Distributions for generously providing me a review copy of the book.
Disclaimers: All my reviews are my thoughts of the book and according to my personal preferences. Even though I had received a review copy, it does not affect my review and honest thoughts for the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Death
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, and Addiction
churameru's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child death, Death, Dementia, Grief, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Murder, and Suicidal thoughts
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